Discussion

This review of components available to build EMECO is not exhaustive. Nevertheless, the examples provided illustrate a range of monitoring programmes in place in the North Sea and identify examples of synergy between these various programmes. These examples should provide confidence in the potential of EMECO to promote greater harmony between monitoring, modelling and process orientated research programmes in the future.

There are many other benefits that should accrue from such initiatives. Harmonised cross-sector data sets will provide important contributions to new assessments required for Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) and Regional Environmental Assessments. An associated public outreach programme will promote wider societal awareness of and engagement with marine environmental issues. Through encouragement of wider European collaboration, at a range of levels, there is also potential for reducing conflict in international policy forums, for example in addressing concerns over transboundary transport of contaminants as illustrated in the case studies.

EMECO has the potential to create a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. By building from the ‘bottom up’ on current and largely policy driven monitoring programmes it has a long-term future, that it is sustainable and not reliant on additional short-term funding.

The benefit of an EMECO should also be considered in the context of the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) initiative from the European Commission Research DG and the European Space Agency (ESA). From this perspective it represents a regional contribution to the pan-European marine monitoring capacity, and can play an important role in contributing towards fulfillment of national GMES obligations.